Scrapping winter caravan plans, the Rockies are considering hosting a one-day Fanfest in downtown Denver before spring training. The inaugural event could offer a distraction from the team’s concern about its spring training site in Tucson.

The Chicago White Sox, one of three teams that train in Tucson, along with the Rockies and Diamondbacks, have signed a contract with the city of Glendale, Ariz., to move into a new stadium with the Dodgers after the 2008 season. Pima County officials are fighting to block public funding for the project, which could affect the Rockies’ future in Tucson.

The language in the Rockies’ Hi Corbett Field lease implies the team can leave before the lease expires in 2011 if two other teams aren’t training in the city, according to Fred Gray, director of Tucson’s parks and recreation department.

The White Sox, per their agreement, must find a replacement to break their lease before 2012, which provides some protection for the Rockies.

Gray admitted there is anger about potentially losing the White Sox. “The (public) funding should be provided to recruit teams from other areas, not for teams already within the state,” Gray said.

Offers to Mesa, Martin

With Roberto Hernandez joining the Indians and Octavio Dotel having received three offers to close games, the Rockies’ options to add relievers are shrinking. They have inquired about LaTroy Hawkins and Rudy Seanez and made contract offers to Jose Mesa and Tom Martin. Mesa is believed to have received a proposal of slightly more than $1 million. The team also is monitoring the progress of reliever Mike DeJean, who is among several players working out at Coors Field.

Troy is a former Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies beat writer for The Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2002 as the Rockies' beat writer and became a Broncos beat writer in 2014 before assuming the lead role ahead of the 2015 season. He left The Post in 2015.

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